CPE Information Center

What CFMA members need to know about continuing professional education (CPE) requirements.

CPE Requirements for CPAs

Continuing professional education (CPE) is required for CPAs to maintain their professional competence and provide quality professional services. CPAs are responsible for complying with all applicable CPE requirements, rules and regulations of state boards of accountancy, as well as those of membership associations and other professional organizations. Follow the links below to become familiar with the CPE Standards issued by AICPA and NASBA, learn the CPE requirements for AICPA members, and find out the specific CPE requirements for each state board and society.

AICPA and NASBA Give Final Approval for Continuing Professional Education Program Standards

CPE required for maintaining your CPA license

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) must adhere to the continuing education requirements set forth by the State Board of Accountancy of the state/s where a CPA license is held. The requirements for continuing professional education vary from state to state. Although the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy provides standards for the development and delivery of CPE programs and many CPE providers comply with these standards, there are cases where the requirements of the individual State Boards may be more restrictive. In these cases, adhering with NASBA standards may not be sufficient for the CPE program to be deemed acceptable to the licensing board of that particular state. For this reason, it is important for the CPA to make sure they understand the rules that they are required to abide.

CPAs may be responsible for adhering to the CPE requirements of multiple entities. For example, the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) requires its members adhere to certain CPE requirements for maintaining membership. There are also special CPE requirements for those performing work related to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Employee Retirement Security Act (ERISA).

Continuing Education requirements for CCIFPs

Who Must Comply?

ICCIFP requires that each active Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) complete 72 hours of continuing education triennially to be eligible for renewal of their certification. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) or equivalent continuing education hours shall be relevant to the practice of construction financial management, and earned in the following ratio:

A minimum of two-thirds (or 48 hours) of construction-specific continuing education; and

Up to one-third (or 24 hours) of general topic continuing education

The full 72 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) or equivalent continuing education hours may be earned in construction-specific qualifying activities; there is no requirement to earn general topic continuing education.

Triennial Requirement

For the initial certification period: Credits shall be prorated in the first year of certification according the Credit Proration Schedule developed by the Compliance & Recertification Committee. Each CCIFP thereafter must earn 48 hours of continuing education in the remaining two years. Only continuing education hours earned on or after the initial date of certification shall be accepted for recertification requirements.

For subsequent certification periods: Each CCIFP must earn 72 hours of continuing education in each three year certification period. Only continuing education hours earned on or after the initial date of certification shall be accepted for recertification requirements.

The annual recertification period is April 1 through March 31. Continuing education must be earned between the dates of April 1 through March 31.

If the registrant earns more than the required 72 hours in any renewal period, a maximum of 12 of the remaining hours may be carried forward into the following renewal period.

Qualifying Activities

Acceptable CPE or equivalent hours for CCIFPs include:

Successful completion or auditing of accredited college credit courses relevant to the practice of construction financial management

Successful completion of approved continuing education courses offered by a professional or trade organization, university or college, or offered in-house by an entity relevant to the practice of construction financial management

Successful completion of an approved seminar, conference, convention or workshop, relevant to the practice of construction financial management

Authoring published papers, articles, or books (to be used only once and only in the year that it was published) for a maximum of 12 credits toward recertification in any three year period

Teaching or instructing construction financial management relevant courses, seminars or workshops for a maximum of 16 credits annually (a course title may be submitted only once in any three year period)

Live web seminars relevant to the practice of construction financial management where the provider is able to verify and confirm attendance and participation

For full time faculty teaching at a college or university a total of 12 hours may be claimed one-time only for teaching a construction financial management course in an accredited curriculum

Being an officer or committee chair, at the local or national level, of any of the following construction industry organizations: ABC, ACCE, AGC, ASA, CFMA, CICPAC, or NAWIC (credit granted for service in only one organization annually)

Non-qualifying Activities

Unacceptable CPE or equivalent hours for CCIFPs include:

Elementary and entry-level training normally expected to have been completed by construction financial professionals prior to CCIFP application

Records must be maintained for a period of three years. Such documentation shall be made available to the Compliance & Recertification Committee for random audit and/or verification purposes. Documentation must support the professional development hours claimed.

CPE Tracking

To record CPE credits for your ICCIFP credential, please refer to this user guide and further information can be found on the ICCIFP Recertification page. If you have any additional questions regarding CPE entry, please contact the ICCIFP at 609-945-2400. Please note that all credits entered are subject to audit by ICCIFP.